Case Study: Bridgette’s SAT Scores Are “Off the Charts”

Bridgette went from a “C” student as a freshman to a 4.0 in honors classes with SAT and ACT scores that are “off the charts.”

Struggling, But Determined to Learn

Bridgette had a high IQ, knew the curriculum when asked, but didn’t do well on tests.

Determined to comprehend, she would read a book 10-15 times. She couldn’t sound things out and had difficulty maintaining attention in the classroom. She would organize spelling words by rule and then define each one to prepare for tests.

Conversations were difficult for Bridgette to follow, causing her to check out in the middle or avoid them altogether. Bridgette was always polite. People were nice to her, but she didn’t have friends.

Though school work became harder, Bridgette was determined to learn. She developed coping mechanisms in order to keep up. She would come home at night and try to teach herself from the notes she took in class, but there were gaps in them. Her parents used to find her in bed at 1 a.m. using a flashlight to finish her homework.

The Search for an Answer – Nothing Worked

The journey to unlock the mystery of Bridgette’s mind started early.

Her early childhood pointed to speech issues, and at four years old, doctors labeled it an “articulation disorder.” By second grade, when she began drowning in schoolwork, a battery of tests yielded frustratingly vague results. Nothing quite fit.

It would take years before an evaluation revealed the diagnosis holding her back: dysphonetic dyslexia and severe Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), making reading difficult and causing inattentiveness.

Her poor test-taking was caused by an undiagnosed working memory deficit, caused by her APD,

The family tried tutors, Orton Gillingham instruction, and vision therapy, but with little change.

Life-Changing Results: Bridgette’s Breakthrough“

“This is the first time she has ever learned in school… the program has changed her life.”
— Bridgette’s Mother

As high school approached, Bridgette told her mom she needed to be ready.

Bridgette started Fast ForWord with Gemm Learning in early July. By the time school started in September, her parents knew the program was working for her.

Bridgette began participating in conversations and could comprehend them in real time.

She was able to sound things out and understand books – only reading them twice – the second time because she enjoyed the story! Today, Bridgette no longer requires SparkNotes to understand literature.

She completes her homework in a timely manner. She was a “C” student freshman year, a high “B” student sophomore year, and currently has a 4.0 in advanced and honors classes.

Her SAT and ACT scores are off the charts.

A Vibrant Life, Unlocked

Best of all, Bridgette now has friends.

She is very active in school activities, taking part in varsity field hockey and track, the junior technology club, Future Business Leaders of America, and many others.

The program has changed her life.